Palmer looks for consistency in second start

ALAMEDA, Calif. — At times in his first start for Oakland, Carson Palmer showed just why the Raiders gave up so much to acquire him.

He threaded a 40-yard touchdown pass down the middle of the field to a well-covered Marcel Reece, connected on a pretty 18-yard score to Jacoby Ford, and got a ball in between a few defenders to T.J. Houshmandzadeh for a 28-yard gain.

The problem for Palmer and the Raiders is that along with those jaw-dropping throws were three more that ended up in defenders' hands for interceptions.

The task now during this short week of preparation is to eliminate as many of those mistakes as possible without compromising the big-play ability the Raiders (4-4) will need when they visit the San Diego Chargers (4-4) on Thursday night.